Granada: A Pomegranate in the Hand of God

What an enjoyable read. If you want to learn more about Al-Andalus and its history of Medieval Spain then this is the book for you. The author does a good job intertwining his relocation to this magical city, Granada, with its 1000 year history. As an American living in Spain, i knew very little if anything at all regarding the age of medieval spain. Now, after visiting the city two times, i am enthralled by its legacy which vanished in 1492 by the conquest of Ferdinand and Isabella, The Catholic Monarchs. This city truly is as close as paradise on earth one could dream to have lived in. The mountains which hover over the promontory of the great Alhambra are like a real-life Disney movie. The culture. The architecture. The symbolism. The literature. All of man's creation, inspired by 3 faiths. Three faiths which formed an alliance, influencing each other to become the most intellectual region in Europe. This novel leaves you with a sense of wanderlust, just like when you are walking the narrow streets of the old barrio's. The author describes that when you are lost in Albayzin, you will have found your soul. In the narrow streets surrounding the great Alhambra, you are swept away in the age of dance, poetry and trading and the ever formidable 'carmen'. Without reading this book, I will never have known the antiquity of literature which soon will grace my library as I seek out novels with the title of "Song of Songs", "The Dream of the Poem," and the "The journey of the soul." Explore the pages of this travelogue illustrating Granada and its complex history. Let your mind be carried away to the place which your spirit will rest in the glory of wisdom.

Mr. Nightingale's in-depth account on the history of Granada, the Moors, and modern life in this unique city is an engrossing read that compliments any trip to southern Spain. I'll admit I picked up the book thinking the writing would focus more on life in the city today. Indeed, much of the text describes the history and pays tribute to many of the artists and thinkers who hail from this region. Nonetheless, Nightingale offers the history (and his own thoughts) in a digestible fashion and leaves you pondering yourself how Spain, and indeed the world, might be different had Los Reyes Católicos not succeeded in starving Granada. Then, when he does take us to his barrio and modern Granada, you can understand why this city is as special as it is as well as how it can continue to serve as an example of how society can operate at its best.

When I began the book, I felt I had made a mistake in choosing it. The initial pages, maybe twenty, went on and on about the gardens and the fruits and vegetables until I wanted to say, "I get it; it is beautiful and wonderful..." I then skimmed a few pages thinking this was a waste of my money. Then the book caught fire with me, and I can hardly put it down. The history is absolutely absorbing while covering so much but still creating a clear understanding of the culture and life during those 800 years. I feel it is helpful to the reader to have a grasp of how we have come to where we are with the culture/religious conflicts we endure to this day. I do ask, "Was the comment referring to George W. Bush and water boarding appropriate?" It was a political snipe that seems so out of sinc with the book. I know a comparison was made, but it just seemed so oddly inappropriate. Overall, I love the book as I love a new understanding of cultures and history. You may want a dictionary handy as the author's vocabulary is extensive. Definitely a good read.

Granada is a grand mix of travel, adventure, and history. It includes one family's experiences living in Andalusia/Granada, interspersed with historical details about not just politics, but advances in science, math, medicine, and music over the centuries.The author is a poet and it shows in his writing, whether he's describing the glorious Alhambra or his 3-year-old daughter kicking a soccer ball into a lingerie shop.Spain's history comes to life as he takes you on journeys to see a judge/philosopher in Seville in the year 1169 or to Toledo in 1486 for the Spanish Inquisition.Favorite lines of mine:"Conversations and gardens belong together. Both are forms that, rightly used, bring into view what otherwise is hidden.""One thing is certain; we will get lost, and we will be glad""It felt as if a gust of good luck had borne us from the one evening to the next."I learned a new word: Convivencia (or Coexistence). Muslims, Christians, and Jews lived in peace in Granada for some time. How that ended is tragic, but somehow convivencia gave me hope for the future.I recommend this book to folks who like adventure travel stories, history books, even historical fiction because this non-fiction book reads like a novel.

A must-read for anyone wanting insight into the Iberian peninsula and its importance in shaping the world today. Explores "convivencia", an 800-year period of muslims, jews, christians living in relative harmony while developing a dynamic economy with scientific, mathematical and medical advancements. And how it all came crashing down with the rise of Isabel and Ferdinand and the subsequent Inquisition

Quite satisfied with this product

It started out great. Good history in the first of the book. The history could have been the entire book---not others' poetry.

This is the lovliest, most humane, history. It has dates and atrocities, but is tempered with love, joy, beauty, appreciation, and wisdom, and hope. I found it unusually meaningful, and finished it just two weeks before our trip to Grenada.

I am so glad I bought this book, and I’m paperback, as it is a book I will treasure. This is a must to read before visiting Granada.Most of us going there are going to see the Alhambra. This book makes you fall in love with the history of Granada and the narrow streets of Albaicin where I stayed. Your visit to Alhambra is enhanced by reading this because you have understood the history. The book itself doesn’t talk much about the Alhambra if you are looking for a guidebook, but rather enriches your whole experience. It gave me a passion for the Albaicin, Granada and Alhambra that I don’t think I’d have had, if it were not for this book.I loved this book, and if you want more than the usual.... ‘this was built by, this was destroyed in, this was used for’, and more about the incredible civilisations that built the Alhambra then this is the book you need to read.This gave me the passion and love for the whole experience which turned my trip into a magical memory which will always stay with me!A beautiful read!

Wonderful book for anyone visiting Granada or interested in history of Spain. Well written, easy, informative read.

Mr. Nightingale has written, quite simply, a beautiful book. It is an invitation to fall in love -- with Granada, with its gardens, with Al-Andalus, with the culture of convivencia, with the mysticism and music of numbers and Islamic tile work, with Garcia Lorca, with flamenco and duende. Give yourself a wonderful present. . . read this book. . . and be prepared to book tickets for Andalusia. I'll probably see you there, wandering dazed and bedazzled through the Alhambra, the Albayzin, looking into the gardens and the carmens, knowing what you are looking at and why. A jewel.

beautiful book thank you